The 20th Heart of the House Gala, presented by Medical Properties Trust, was a hugely fun night for our guests, staff and featured guest family! Supporters and sponsors raised a record-breaking $487,808 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMHCA) mission!
The gala is RMHCA’s single largest fundraiser to help us provide our services to guest families, at no charge to them. This year’s total will cover 3,902 nights of comfort and care at the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room at UAB Women & Infants Center.
The RMHCA staff is, to put it mildly, overwhelmed and so grateful for the generosity of attendees and Silent Auction bidders. Your compassion for guest families will give them so much hope and stress relief during their child’s medical crisis.
The Heart of the House Gala actually kicked off August 3 when the mobile, Silent Auction opened. Bidders logged in from all over Alabama and even other states to view the amazing items secured by the Gala Committee.
The main event was held at a private club on Friday, August 5, where invitees were able to view the Silent Auction items in-person before enjoying dinner and a very exciting Live Auction. A bidding war broke out over one of the final Live Auction items, which ultimately netted $29,000 for our mission!
Riding that excitement, RMHCA played a special feature video detailing the journey of guest family, the Leveretts. Dad, Chris, shared some heartfelt words about how RMHCA supporters helped him stay strong while his son, Christian, endured cancer treatments.
“I’m just speaking to the guys right now. Our one job is to make sure our families are well,” Chris said. “We want to look around and make sure our family is happy. You all are the greatest thing that make the Ronald McDonald House what it is. The only thing that could make it greater is for you to continue to be who you are. Thank you all so much.”
If you’d like to watch the featured family story of the Leveretts, click/tap the play button below.
View photos from the night in the Flickr slideshow below.
There are so many people who made this night happen and the RMHCA staff is grateful to each one of you. From our 2022 Gala Committee who helped secure the awesome auction items and lent so many hours of their time, talent and treasure; our volunteers behind the scenes who helped ensure event guests had a great time from start to finish; Nik Layman Photo Video for capturing the night; the experts at Holt AV; C King Benefit Auctions for their talents behind the scenes and front and center; and of course to our generous sponsors!
A heartfelt thank you to our 2022 sponsors! |
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Presenting Sponsor |
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Heart Sponsors |
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Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation |
Family Sponsors |
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| Michael & Carol Hill |
Curt Morris |
Champion Sponsors |
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 Andy & Catherine Meehan |
Dr. Namasivayam Ambalavanan, Dr. Waldemar A. Carlo, Dr. Carl H. “Tim” Coghill |
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Special thanks to our 2022 Heart of the House Gala Committee!
Chairs Jill & Bob Crawford • Co-Chairs Kathy & Jim Emison
Brooks Emory • Cindy Hodo • Pete Hodo • Mary Grahovac • Amy Gravlee • Patti Hagwood • Allyson Harris
Carol Hill • Amy Johnstone • Doug Moore • Curt Morris • Lisa Ramsay • Kit Roth • Karyn Uptain
